Car loader



. 1,626,947 y 1927- s. 'MANIERRE 4 CAR LOADER 'Filed Nov. 14. 1921 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 'May 3,1927. 1,626,947

G. MANIERRE CAR LOADER Fiied Nov. 14. 1921 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. .MANIERRE can LOADER May 3, 1927.

14. 1921 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fil'ed Nov.

Inf

' 1,626,947 G. MANIERRE CAR LOADER Filed Nov. 14. 1921 10 Sheets- Sheet. 5

May a, 1937,

G. MANIERRE CAR LOADER Filed Nov.

May 3, 6 $1 May 3,1927. 1,626,947

G. MANIERRE CAR LOADER Filed Nov. 14; 1921 10 Shets-Sheet s gimzhg a. MANIERRE CAR LQADER Filed Nov. 14. 1921 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 Imfm 620596 fl/azzz'erra yaxill Patented May 3, 1927.

uuirsa snares; ameni or GEORGE *MANIERRE; OF :MILVVAUKEE, WISCONSI-NJ CAR LOADER..

Application filed November 14, 1921. Serial No 514,972.

This invention relates to lHIPIOVGIIlGDtS in car loaders.

it is anohject ot the invention to provide a device of this character which may be introducedthrough the door of an ordinary box car and by means of which a conveyor may be driven so as to transport the goods to be loaded to any desired point within the car.

It is also an object ofthe present invention to provide in association with a conveyor ot'this nature a drive for the conveyor, anda device for adjusting the conveyor in a horizontal plane and in vertical planes' p it is also an object oit th'c invention to construct the suppoii'ti'or a conveyor of the character described to permit of the conveyor being shitted "from a central point of support inv opposite directions towards either end (it the car and'to maintainthe adjust-ability ot the conveyor in vertical and horizontal plancsafter. it has beenshitted or while it is being shifted;

The invention. also contemplates the provision of means whereby the direction in which the conveyor transports the goods may be altered; this alteration maybe effected independently of the adjustment of the conveyor carryingframe.

The invention also provides means for reversing the movement of conveyor supporting" structure through the action ot'the prime mover without requiring reversion'oi" the prime mover itself.

The invention also contemplates the provision ol means tor supporting the loaded part of the conveyor and for preventing the sagging ot the same during its operation;

it also has the object of rendering the dis lance between the s 'irocket wheels ofan endless conveyor chain adjustable within a rigid supporting structure so as to retain the con- 'vevor permanently in taut condition.

The invention tlurthormore has the object ol'x noviding means in connection with a conveyor o't this character, for preventing the material. which is being. placed on the ctmveyor from one side of the same to be thrown over the opposite side of the convc vor and to render these means adjustable, and whereby they may be adapted to properly lunction independently of the direction in which the goods are carried by the conveyor.

The invention also contemplates the provision of novel means for controlling certain elements of awsupporting structure for a device of this kind, whereby these elements may readily be locked at any desired angular position relatively to each other, or may bereleased so as to assume difierent angular positions as required.

\Vith these and numerous other objects in view an en'ibodimento't the invention isdescribed in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying.drawings, wherein:

Figure l'is a topplan view of the assembled device introduced into a box car which is shown in horizontalsection;

Figure 2 isa side elevation ot the device in the box car, the latter being shown partly broken away;

Figure 3 is an end elevation oittheassembled device, thebox" car being shown in-ver tical cross section;

Figure P is a-sectional view on -a larger scale on line Jrt of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional'view on lineof Figure 4;

Figure 6is asection on line- 6-6 of Fig-- ure 5 to illustrate the conveyor chair and conveyor frame in side elevation;

Figure? is a longitudinal sectional'view through the conveyor frame and turntable;

Figure 8 is a top'plan' view of an end portion of the conveyor frame and otthe conveyor, certain partsof the trame and con veyor being shown inhorizon'tal section;

Figure 9 is a sideelevation of an end part of the elevator frame. illustrating the adjusting device for a sprocket shaft on the conveyor;

-Figure' 10 is a's ection on line 10-10 of Figure to illustrate a reversible worm drive; i i

Figure 11 is a sectionalv view on line 11-1l o't Figure- 5, showing a reversing gear and clutch;

Figure 121s an elevation of a supporting. arm and pivotposts certain parts being shown in section;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line 1313 of Figure 12-;

\ .a detail sectional view of parts illustrated in Figure 13', but in slightly ditterentposition;

Figure 15 is a sectional view on line 15-15 of Figure 13;.

Figure 16 is a diagrammatical sectional view of a portion ofa clutch band;

Figure 14 is CIT Figures 17 and l8 are perspective views of two similar clutch rings, and

Figure 19 is a sectional view of a sprocket adjustment mechanism.

The main support of the machine conipriscs a foundation 1, Figure 2, from which a standard 2 rises. Horizontal brackets 3 and t which are fixedly secured to the standard 2 serve for supporting a shaft 5 which is held against: rotation therein by means of the centering screws 6 in the lower bracket, but which may be raised and lowered with respect to the standard 2 by means of a bevel gear mechanism 'Z,-of known construction and therefore not shown in detail, which can be actuated through the ratchet device 8. This adjusting device for the pivot shaft 5 does not form the subject matter of the present application and is described in detail in other co-pending applications.

The pivot post 5 serves for rotatably supporting a relatively heavy arm 10 which is provided with brackets 11 and 12 embracing the post 5 and held against longitudinal displacement by a collar 13, Figure 12. The opposite end of this arm 10 is formed with 'iorizontal plates let and 15 which. as shown in Figure 13, may be provided with a plu rality of openings to receive a second pivot shaft 16 which is also held against rotation in these openings with respect to the arm structure it). It is obvious that through vertical adjustment of the main pivot post 5 with respect to the standard 2 the secondary pivot shaft 16 also may be adjusted rela tively to said post.

In pivotal connection with the secondary pivot post .16 an arm 17 is provided, this arm terminating in the brackets 18 and 19 which surround the post 16 and which are held against axial displacement thereon. This arm which is also constructed in the form of a box shaped casting similar to the arm 10 forms at'its opposite free end a turntable support 20 as shown in Figures 5 and 7.

An upper flange 21 of the turntable support carries a ball bearing 22 on which the weight ot a turntable 23 rests. Thrusts exerted during the operation of the device in upward direction are also absorbed by the fiance 21 through a ball bearing 25 which is inserted between this flange 21 and a ring 26 secured to the lower open end of the turntable 23.

An extension 27 is rigidly fastened to the turntable 23 and serves principally for supporting a framework consisting of a plurality of channel irons 28 on which a plat form 29 supports the driving motor 30 of the device. This motor is shown in the present instance to be an electric motor on whose shaft a sprocket 31, Figure 4t, imparts a driving movement through a chain belt 32 to a larger chain belt drive wheel 33 which is freely rotatable supported by a shaft 34, F igure 5. The chain belt 32 and the sprockets 31, 33 about which this belt is trained, are enclosed in a suitable casing 36, as shown in Figures 1, t and 5.

The shat't 3a which is driven at a reduced speed from the motor 30 is at one end. supported in a bearing 37, while its other end extends through and is supported by a. bushing 38 in a bracket 39 which is it astened to the turntable 23.

The chain belt driven wheel 33. Figure I), is keyed to a hub extension tt) of a sprocket ll which is also loosely mounted on the sha't't St. The sprocket ll is provided with clutch teeth 42 in opposition to the clutch teeth 43 of a collar 44 which is keyed on the shaft 34; and which is slidable thereon. A lever 45 which is pivoted on a bracket on the platform 29 is connected by a rod 46 with a shifting :tork 45? engaging by means of pins in a well known way, and a groove is provided. in the sliding: collar 4t4twhereby upon displacement ot' the collar 44 to operative 'iosition with respect to the clutch teeth 42 rotary movenuuit may be transn'iitted to the sha t t 34.

The sprocl-cct it drives by means of a chain 43, l inurcs it and 5, a sprocket 41-9 which forms a part of a sleeve 50 rotatably mounted on a shaft 51, Figure llpwhich is carried by brackets 52 and 53 rising iron] the extension 27 of the turntable. This sleeve 50 1S united at one end with a bevel gear 54- tor actuating a reversing clutch mechanism. The reversing clutch mechanism includes primarily a transverse shaft 55 supported in bearing brackets 56 and 57 which also rise t'rom the extension 27 of the turntable. The shaft; 55 carries loosely thereon the triction clutch members 58 and a ring as) oi friction lnatmrial, as for instance tibre which is secured to the disc, so as to be rotated therewitl'i. Bevel gears 60 are each keyed to one of the discs 58 and are in permanent engagement with the bevel gear 54; so as to be driven in opposite directions siiunltaneously.

The drive of either of these bevel gears (30 is selectively transmitted to the shaft through clutch devices adapted to be brought into frictional. engagement with the fibre ring 59. As shown in Figure 11, the shaft carries slidably near each of the bearings 56, 57 clutch rings 61 which are forcibly rotated with the shaft by suitable splines and tcathers. The ends of the rings (31 are equipped with brackets carrying links 62 pivotally secured therein and in pivotal connection at their "tree ends with arms 63, the other ends c! which are pivotally secured to brackets 64 on disc elements 65. The arms )3 which form a part oi this toggle lever construction, are provided with hook shaped extensions 66. These hook shaped ill) i which is mounted at one end of the and which s connected by a sprocket chain extensions are in engagement with rings 67 seeured-at'the front endof hub sleeves of dises69 adapted to engage the friction rings )ttl- "t t'tl-t l' l o. .1. 10 S111. ace opposi e 0 a. on wnc i the'd1scs6'5 engage the same. Each disc 69 is keyed to an inner sleeve which in its friction between the discs 65, 69 and the rin 59, oritis not'sut'ticiently great to cause the transmission of the rotary movement from the ring to the discs and the shaft 55. But ifone toggle joint'lever is actuated, the pertainin-glink 63-will pressthe disc 65 against one face of the friction ring 59, and as the arm63- swings at the same time about'the pivotal attachment on the bracket 64;, the noses 66 will exert a pressure outwardly against the ring 67 which is fixcdly connected withthe disc 69 thereby pulling the pertaining disc 69 at the same time into frictional engagement with. the fibre ring 57. The cl-utch-dises'65 and 6S) transmit their n'iovement through the pertaining keys and sleeves to the shaft 55. This shaft, therefore may be driven in one orthe other direction, dependentuponthe operative position of the right hand or left hand clutch ring 61.;

lilitherofthese clutch rings may be moved to operative position by means of a rod or tubingd'l. Figs. t'and'll. which slidably "arried in' angle pieces 72 on one of the beams. 'llhs-slidable member is equipped near its ends with lugs 73 adapted to engage the ends ofclutchshiftlevers 74 which are pivotally secured at 75'to brackets on another beam 28. The shifting levers 7 1- are o'f well known construction and'provided with the bifurcated portions on which pins 76*enter the circumferential, grooves of the 11 ertaining clutch rings-61.

In order to effect this shifting movement of the sliding member 77 near the centralv portion of the same is pro vided with lateral pins which are grasped by the fronteud of a'link 79 the other end of which is in. pivotal connection 'witlrthe foot of a'lever 80 pivoted in a bracket on the platform 29 Uponaswingmg movement ofthe lever 80 into one or the other direction. the slide rod 'il will also be moved longitudinally in one'or the other direction and this move mont will cause the clutch levers Te to throw either of the two clutches t0 operative position.

The shaft 55 therefore will be rotated in one or the" other direction and will communicate this rotation to a sprocket shaft 71, a ring or collar 91, Figures 3, 1,- with asprocket 92, Figure 10, fixed to a shaft 93 which extends through a casing 9 1; As may be seenfrom Figure 5, the support of the casing. 9 L is efiected by lugs 95 and 96 on the two halvesof the casing, and'bolted to brackets 38'and97 on the turntable 9.3. The casing 94: forms bearings 99 and '100, Figure 10, for the shaft 9; Betncen these two bearings, the shaft 93 carries loosely, two worms 101 and 102 respectively, and the Worm 101 is in driving engagement with a Worm gear. 103 on the shaft 34, Figs. 5 and 6. The worm gear 103, is in fixed connection with a sleeve 10 1, Figure 5, loosely mounted on shaft 3 1, and having at one end a sprocket 105.

The other worm 102twhich is also loose on the shaft 93 is in driving engagement with a larger worm gear 106 which is secured on a shaft 107 extending parallel to the countershaft 34:.

The operative selective connection of the worms 101'and 102 with the shaft 93 is eil'ected by a clutch collar 108 which is slidably mounted on the shaft 93-and fixed against rotation with respect thereto. This clutch collar 108 is provided on opposite aces with clutch teeth 109 adapted to engage upon displacement the clutch teeth 111, of the worms 101 and 102" respectively. The clutch collar 108 which is driven with the shaft 9?) is embraced by a shifting member 11Z'3in pivotal connection at one end with a lever lld which again is joinedto a crank 116 by a second link 115. The crank 116 is secured to a rock shaftw117 and a lever 119, F igure-t, serves for imparting an oscillating movement to this rock shaft. Dependent upon the position ofthis lever, theshaft 93 maybe caused to drive either the worm gear 103 or the worm gear 106. Asthe direction of rotation of the worm gear shaft 93 itselfagain is made dependent upon the direction of rotation of the shaft 55, it obvious that the worm gear 103 and the worm gear 106 may be driven selectively in either direction.

The turntable or carriage 2? servcsfor supporting the conveyor mechanism through which the load dumped into the car may be advanced to any desired position in the interior of the car. The conveyor mechanism comprises a frame structure 118, Figs.

4t. 5, 6, 7. 8 and 9, con'iposed of'vertical side plates 120 which are reinforced near their upper and lower edges by angles 121. Other angles 122 are directed inwardly from the side plates 120, Fig. 5, and rack bars 128 are associated with the lower set of longitudinal reinforcing angle irons 122.

In order to further reinforce the frame structure 118, transverse members 12 1 are disposed at intervals between the side plates 120 and connected thereto, and these trans verse members l2 serve for the attachment til of longitudinal angle irons 125 exteni'ling over a relatively large part of the conveyor structure, and serving as supports for rollers of the conveyor chain. In alinement with these loi'igitiuliiial roller guides 125. brackets .126 are mounted which have inclined surfaces IQT to assist; in guiding the rollers of the convevor upwardly and to facilitate thereby the proper movement of the conveyor about the si'irocket wheels .128, 12$) which are mounted in the interior of the conveyor structure near the ends.

The conveyor chain, as illustrated in Figs. 5, 7 and 8. comprises two parallel series, each of two sets of links 160, which series are interconnected by carrying plates 161. Some of these plates are quipped with upstanding flanges 162 to assist: in advancing the material deposited on the conveyor during the movement of the same. The links 160 of the conveyi'ir chain are pivotally intm'connected by bolts on which the rollers 163 are freely rotatable. The rollers of the upper portion of the conveyor chain travel on the angle irons 125 and If? so as to prevent the sagging of the loaded part of the conveyor chain.

Near the ends of the frame structure 120 shafts Iltlti for the sprockets 128 and 129 respectively. are mounted. These shafts are supported in bearing brackets us? terminating in plates 168 through which the. brackets are secured by screws 105) to the side wall of the frame structure. These screws pass through longitudinal slots 170. Figure 9, so as to renderan adjustment of these bearing brackets feasible. The shafts 1156 which pass through slots 11353 in the plates 120, Figure 9. freely support the sprockets 128, .25) over which the two chains are trained. in order to counteract the tensioningr strain which by these chains is exerted on the shafts and bearing; brackets, the brackets are provided with evtensions 171. Figure 8, which project towards the interior of the frame structure and which serve for receiving the adjusting pressure screws 172, the inner ends of which are freely rotatable in fixed angle brackets 174. on the walls 120 to which reference has been made above. As these extens ons 17?. are firmly connected with the brackets 126 for the chains an adjustment of the brackets 16'? will also result in an adjustn'i-ent of the brackets 126.

The latter are slidably supported on rods which pass through slots 1741 in brackets connected with the transverse reinforcin elements 124. The sprockets 123 at one end of this structure may be. rigidly secured to the pertaining shaft 166.

This shaft positively driven by a. sprocket 180 and a chain 181 of the ordinary construction which is also trained about a sprocket 182 on the other shaft 166. One of the strands of this endless drive chain 181 is partly looped about a. sprocket 183, Figures t' and tiywhich is directly keyed to the shaft 341T near the left hand end of the same. tlhere'l'oie, if the countershaft 31 is rotated upon suitable movement of the clutch lever 31-5. this movement directly transmitted to the sprocket 183 and the sprocket chain 131, and this movement then is con'uiuinicated directly to the conveyor chain including the links 161') as shown.

The sprocket 107 is connected through the sprocket ihain 131) with another sprocket; .131 at the end of a shaft 133 which is provided in a secondary tiltine' support; or chair 1 e. F and (3.

33 ot the frame struotzn This tilting chair or support 133 is mounted by means of one side wall in a. pivot 134. carried on a bracket 135 which rises from the turntable carriage 23 and which is in aline ment with the shaft 341-. The other side wall of this carriage chair 133 is pivotally mounted on a bushing); 138 which is placed about the shaft 3 1. It will be seen therefore that the chair .133 may be turned about an axis coincident with the axis of the shaft 3ft.

This chair is provided with rollers jl l-t.) covered with suitable friction material, which are in alinement with each other on ich side of the chair and which project from the walls of the chair in direction towards the conveyor frame structure. Angle irons 1-11. projecting fron'i the side platesIQt) ontwardly. engage the rollers 1 from above, while the lower reinforcing angle irons 121. engage the rollers from below whereby the entire frame structure of the conveyor is guided in a rectilinear path fixed with respect to the tilting supporting structure 133.

In order to tilt the chair 133 about an. axis which is in alinement with the axis of the shaft 3 1- and to effect thereby also a tilting of the entire conveyor frame about the same axis, the shaft- 107, Figure 10, carrying the worm gear 106 is provided atthat end which projects from the casing 94- with a pinion 1 12 which, as shown in Figures 5 and (S, is in mesh with a larger gear 143 mounted on a shaft which is supported on the chair. This gear 143 is mounted on one shaft 144; with two smaller gears 14-5, F in: G, the teeth of which engage gear sectors 1416 rigidly secured to the chair 130. It is obvious therefore that if the worm gear 106 is forcibly rotated through suitable displacement of the clutch sleeve 108, on shaft 93, the chair 133 may be tilted from the straight position in which it is shown in Figure 3, to a slanting position, for instance, as shown dotted in Figure 2. It is also obvious that a return tilting movement can he eil'ected by simply reversing the direction in which the shaft 9.; is driven, and this reversal again is effected by the actuation of the clutch mechanism illustrated in Figure 11 and acting on the jack shaft shown therein.

. longitudinal displacement .ofthe oonveyor frame structure on its supporting structure. 133 is eiit'ected by the. sprocket 131 on the shaft 132 which sprocket is driven through the. chain 130 from the other worm gear-103. The shaft 132 carries the pinions 150 which are in engagement with the racks 123fastened to the innerlower angle irons 122 of the frame structure. The shaft 132 beingsnpported .on the tilting chair 133 which latter is not displaceuhlein longi tudinal direction, will therefore drive the rack bars 123 and displace the same and thereby also the frame structure'torwa-rdly or rearwardly depending upon direction or rotation of the sprocket 105. The engagement of thegears150-wlth the, racks 123 is permanently maintained independent or. the tilting movement of the chair 130, as the frame structure is tilted with the chair. The movement of this 'iirai'ne structure ttorwardly or rearwardly is controlled by thereversing clutch illustrated in vFigure 11, combined with themovement of the clutch 108 on the worm: shaft 93.

1! rom Figure 6 it will also be noted that the proper engagelnent of the chain 181 with. the sprocket 183 (Fig. 5) ispermanently n'iaintained owing .to the means thru which. this strand of the sprocket chain 181 is traced to embrace or is partly looped about the'lower part of the sprocket 183. These means are tormedby idle sprockets, 185, coaxial with thebolts185, 'Figure 6 which :are secured in the tilting chair 133 and whichmay be adjusted with respect to the axis of the shaft 34- by being secured in brackets 186 adjacent theslots 187 in the chair. The brackets 186, owing to the engagement oi thesprocket chain 181 have a tendency to slide towards the opposite or far ends of the slots 187. This tendency is counteracted by pressure screws 188 which impinge on the brackets 186 and which extend either thruthe end flange of the chair structure 133, as shown at theleithand side of Figure 6, or through a threaded wall. 189 provided in the chair for this purpose.

As an additional i means for adjusting the tension of the drive chain 181 and conveyor-.161, not only in. the upper strand, the sprocket 180 is adjustably secured to shaft 100. 'This is eil'ected by means of screws 30(ipassing through arcuateslots 307 of the s gnocket-= into the hub 305, Figs 0, 8 and 19.

'The mechanism by which the primary supporting arm 10 may be adjusted with respect to the stationary .pivot post'5, is shown particularly in Figures 12 to 18. The nrnx-rotatable shait Fi carries between the brackets '11 and l2 of the arm 10 a drum 200 whiclris rigidly secured'to the shaft. This drum 200 is surrounded by two clutch bands 01, the form ilhiist'rated in Figures'17 and 18. A similar drun'r 201 is post 116 which is cent to which the ends of the members 203,

20 1; are provided elements or lugs ment oi? shackles.

Each clutch ring is shackled by one of the loops 200 to a wall of the supporting arm 10, and for this-purpose eyebolts 210 210" are secured to the spaced projecting lugs 200 and to the walls o'l'i the arm 10. A circum'lierential displacement of these clutch rings with respect to the arm 10 is thereby rendered impossible.

"lhetwo innermost lugs 206, however, of the two sets of clutch rings are interconnected by a toggle joint structure comprising the links 220 and 221 which terminate in forks 222 and 223 and which 'are in pivotal connection with the lugs 206 of these rings. The inner ends of the two links 220 and 221. are in pivotal and sliding association through a slot and pin connection with a central link- 220. The central portion ofthe link 226 is pivotally attached with suitable fastening 200, 206, for the attachto anotherlink 230 whichis movably connected with an arm 231 at the lower end of a rod 232 whichis rotatably supported on the arm structure 10. It the handle 23 1 of the rod 232 is rotated to swing the arm 231, the toggle structure may either be extended or stretched as shown in Figure 13, or the toggle joint may be broken, as indicated in dotted lines in the same'figure, or as indicated in Figure 14. When the arm 231 is swung into a position to breakthe toggle joint a tensionalistrain is exerted upon the lugs 206to which the links 220, 221are attached. gThis will cause the clutch rings to be tightened about their respective drums and will thereby secure the arms in that relative angular position to which they have been adjusted.

As the shaft 16 isrigidly associated with the arm 10 and as the drum 201lbyv the tightening ofthe clutch bands is held im movable with respectto the shaft'16, it is obviousthat .then the arm 17 cannot be rotated owingto the projection 2d0fl1igs. 12, 13,-which extends from the flange of the drum 201into an opening of the second arm 17. In this way the two arms may be securely interlocked in any position to which they have been-adjusted, as for instance, indicated-in Figure 1 or in any other desired position.

'For the purpose of adjusting the turnplates 1 1 and 15 of (ill table 523 within the arm 17, a shaft 250, Fig. 12, is rotatably mounted in the arm structure 1? and is held against vertical displacement therein. In rigid connection with the lower end of the shaft 250, the latter carries a small sprocket gear 251 over which the sprocket chain 252 is trained, this sprocket chain also being placed about a gear ring 253. Fig. 5, which forms a part of the lower flange 2(3 of the turntable. As this lower flange is connected by bolts with the turntable .3, the latter together with the extension secured thereto, may be rotated about the axis of the turntable whenever this is desired. From Figure 5 it will be noted that idler sprockets 2553 are rotatably mounted on the arm 17 in order to maintain the sprocket chain 252 in operative engagement with the gear 353 of the turntable.

On that side of the box car opposite to which the standard 2 .is located, a chute 270, Fig. 3, may be lisposed by means of suitable ujiiright structure 27f which is rotatably carried on a foimdation 27:2. 'lhis chute may be extended forwardly in direction towards the box car by a movable section 2??? the position of which may be adjusted through suitable lowering or raising of a pivotal arm 2-7:) which forms a part of the upright structure 2T1. The chute section Bill is yieldingly supported. on this arm 275: by a rod 276 having a sinking 277 which at one end presses against a collar 278 on the rod and, at the other end acts on a fixed plate 25!). n additional support for these chutes near the inner end, may comprise a bracket 28o which is ri; 'idly mounted on the top of the side wall of the tiltable carriage 1323, whereby even upon a movement of the entire conveyor frame structure in a horizontal plane or in a. vertical plane, the inner end of the chute section 273 may be adapted to deliver material to the endless conveyor.

Means are also provided for preventing the material which is thrown on the conveyor from the chutes from being projected across the conveyor and dropping on to those parts of the mechanism which serve for driving the conveyor and for adjusting the. same. A bracket 290, Figs. 5 and 8, which is mounted on the tiltable carriage 133, supports by means of bearings a shaft Fig. 5, which is held against longitudinal displacement thereon. The inner end of this shaft supports rigidly the hub of a plate or disc 29%- acting as a. guard, and to this disc another curved plate 295 is riveted, which is bent so as to form a part of a hood extending transversely of the conveyor. The shaft which projects through the bracket 290 carries rigidly thereon'a crank or handle 296, Fig. 6, whereby upon the rotation of this shaft and by means of the crank the protector plate 295 may be swung from one position to another position so as to prevent the material thrown onto the conveyor from falling too far backward in a direction 0p posite to that in which the conveyor intends to carry it. Other brackets 298 on the chair 133 serve for supporting a stationary guard plate 299 in opposition to the chute, Fig. 6.

The operation of the device will probably be understood from the above. When the entire device is not in use, the arm 17 may be pivoted about the shaft 16 of the arm In so that it forms an acute angle with this arm, and the turntable 23 and extension 27 may be rotated to place the extension in a position approximately parallel to the arm 17, whereby the entire device is arranged in a compact form, so as to obstruct as little as possible the path of the rolling stock. When a box car to be loaded has been moved into proper position so as to be adapted to receive the material from the chute 270, the two doors on opposite side walls of the car are opened and the loader is introduced into the box car tl'irough suitable actuation of the hand \vheel 257 on top of the shaft 250, whereby the conveyor frame structure is angularly adjusted with respect to the secondary arm 1'? and the latter may then be suitably adjusted by hand with respect to the primary supporting arm The two arms l7 and it) are angularly adjustable by hand, and may be locked in each adjustable position through breaking of the toggle joint connection through which the clutches on the upright posts ol these pivotal struc tures are firmly connected with their posts. After the conveyor has been moved into the interior, as for instance, indicated in Figure 1, the material may be introduced through the chute on the conveyor and the latter may be operated by means of the motor and the clutches described, to carry the material first toa point near the left hand end of the box car, as shown. Through angular adjustii'ient of the turntable with respect to the supporting structure 17, or through angular adjustment of the supporting structure 17 to the arm 10, or through a combination of these adjustments the conveyor may be moved parallel to itself from a point near one side wall of the car to a point near another side wall of the car, while at the same time the chute is extended through an adjustment of the arm 27?) so that the material is always moved by grav ity directly over the conveyor. After the car has been filled to a certain level, the worm gear clutch may be actuated to tilt the carriage 133 whereby the entire frame structure is also tilted upwardly to convey the material to a higher point of the car, and While the structure is tilted in a vertical plane it may also be moved transversely of the car either through the adjustment of the arm structures 10 and 17 or it may nezaoe? be swung about the axis of the turntable by operation of the hand wheel 257. In this way one side, as for instance, the left hand side, Figure 1., of the car may be filled entirely with bulk material, where upon the worm gear clutch 89 maybe thrown'to the left, Fig. 10, to shift the conveyor frame structure by means of the t ansmission 101, 1053, 130,131., 123, without interruption ofits operation, so as to extend towards-the right hand end of the car where this operation is also carried out, until finally both of the ends of the car are filled almost from bottom to roof with the bulk material. The conveyor fran'ie structure may then be completely withdrawn thronghthe opening through which it has been introduced and this door may then be closed. The chute will then continue to dis charge material towards the central portion ofthe box car Without requiring conveyor for uniformly distributing the material in the interior of the car.

I claim:

1.In a car loader ofthe type havinga conveyor traveling in a frame which is longitudinally displaceable with respect to a chair tiltably supported on a turntable, including a motor fixed to the turntable, a counter shaft driven by the motor, a second counter shaft driven from said first named counter shaft, worms normally loose on said second counter shaft, worm gears on opposite sides of said second counter shaft and permanently in engagement with said worms, said worm gearsbeing operatively connected with means for longitudinally dirplacing the .frame in the chair, and with meansfor tilting the chair with respect to the turntable respectively, and manually controllable means for operatively connect ing either of said worms with said second counter shaft.

2.111 a carloader ofthe type having a conveyor traveling in a frame which is longitudinally displaceable in a chair tiltably secured on a turntable, including a motor fixed to the turntable, a counter shaft driven by the motor, means on the counter shaft for driving the conveyor, a second countershaft parallel to said first named counter shaft and adapted to be driven thereby, selectively reversible gearing driven from said second counter shaft, a worm shaft, adriving connection between said reversible gear ingand said worm shaft, worm gear transmissions controlled by said worm shaft, and mechanisms under control of said worm transmissions for longitudinally dis fiacing the frame and for tilting the chair respectively. I

3. In a car loader of thetype having a conveyor travelingin a frame longitudi' nally displaceable in a chair which is tiltably supported on turntable, including a motor fixed to the turntable :and movable 1 witlr the same, a counter shaft supported onthe turntable and having its axis permanentlyparallel to the axis of the motor, another counter shaft parallel to said first named counter shaft and driven by the-same, reversible gearing driven from said second counter shaft, a worm shaft at right-angle to said first named counter shaft-and driven from said reversiblegearing, asetof worm gear transmissions selectively operable from said worm shaft, means controlledby sa-id worm transmission for effecting longitudinal displacement of the conveyor frame with respect to the chair, andtilting-movement of the chair with respectto the turntable respectively, means'for controlling rotation of said first named counter-shaft, means for controlling selectively the reversible gearing, and means for selectively connecting the worm transmissions With the Worm shaft,all ofsaid cont-r01 means being accessiblefrom a point abovethe turntable and adjacent the motor. 1

st. In a. car loader of the type having a conveyor traveling in .a frame which is longitudinally displaceable with respect to a chair tiltably supported on a turntable, ineluding a motor-fixed to the turntable amt movable with the same, a counter shaft driven by said motor, a,secon'd counter shaft driven from said firstnamed counter shaft and parallel thereto, reversible gearing controlled hy said second counter shaft, a worm shaft operable in either direction from said reversible gearing, worms looselymounted onsaid worm shaft, worm gear transmissions operable by said Worms, one of said worm gears being loosely supported on said first named counter shaft and being operatively connected with the conveyorframe.

5. In a car loader of the type having a conveyor traveling in a frame which-is longitudinally displaceable in a chair tiltably supported on a turntable,includin an eX- tension 'to the turntable, a motor fixed on said extension, a counter shaft driven by said motor, another counter shaft driven by said first named counter shaft, reversible gearing supported by said extension and driven by said second countershaft, a Worm shaft driven by said reversible gearing, worm gear transmissions adapted 'to be brought selectively into operative connection with said wormshaft, and means controlled by said worm gear transmissions'for successively effecting longitudinal displacement of the frame with respect to the chair and for tilting the chair with respect to the turntable respectively.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of-an endless conveyor,a frame structure for the same,-rollers-'forming parts of said conveyor, longitudinal guides for the rollers, carried by the frame structure, sprocket wheels supported in the frame structure and over which the conveyor chain is trained, and means for guiding the rollers in proximity to the sprocket wheels, said last named guides being angularly -sposed with respect to the longitudinal guides.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless conveyor chain, av frame structure for the same, rollers forming parts of the endless conveyor chain, sprockets supported by the frame structure, and over which the conveyor chain trained, brackets adjustably mounted in the frame structure and supporting the sprocket wheels, and guides associated with said brackets to be adjustable with the same tor supporting the rollers in their movement in proximity to the sprocket wheels.

8. In a device of the charach-uf describiul, the combination of an endless conveyor, a motor for actuating the same, a frame stllic ture for the conveyor, a tilting support on which the frame structure is carried, the frame structure being provided with guide-- ways and the tilting support having rollers co-acting with said guide-ways, means controlled by the motor for longitudinally displacing the 't'rame structure on said guideways and rollers, and means controlled. by the motor for tilting said support.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless conveyor, a motor for actuating the same, a colinter-shaft "from which the driveof the conveyor is derived, a supporting StlHCtlllG tor the conveyor, and means for tilting said support about the axis of said countersl'iatt.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless conveyor chain, a motor for actuating the same, a counter-shaft driven by said motor and 'tl'OIl'l which the drive of the conveyor is derived. a supporting structure partly suspended -from said countershatt, and motor controlled n'ieans for tilting said supporting structure and conveyor about an axis in alincmcnt with the axis of the countershai't.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of an endless conveyor chain, a motor for actuating the same, a countershatt driven by said motor, a

sprocket fixed to said coimtershait't, and a sprocket chain trained over said sprocket and adapted to drive the conveyor, a. frame strinzture for the conveyor, a tiltable support for the frame structure, the means tor supporting said frame structure being in axial alinement with said countershatt, means partly mounted on said countersha'tt il'or longitudinally displacing the frame structure with respect to its support, and means under control of the motor for swinging said support about the axis of the countershaft.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor chain, a 'lrame striurture for the same, a motor for driving the conveyor chain, means controlled by the motor for longitudinally displacing the tran'ic structure, a driving chain disposed on the outside of the frame structure and under the control of the motor, a sprocket wheel for the drive chain in a relatively lixed location with respect to the mo-- tor, and means tor n'iaintaining engagement between said last named sprocket and the drive chain independent of the position of the frame structure with respect to the motor.

iii. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor chain, a Inotor for actuating the same, a frame structure for the chain, a chair supporting the 'l'ranie striu-ture, a turntable on which the chair is movably carried, and means for selectively moving said frame structure or chair with respect to said turntable, the m0- tor being lixedly related to said turntable.

Li. in a device of the character described, the combiimtion of a conveyor chain, a mo tor for actuating the same, a trame structure for the chain, a chair for supporting the frame structure, a turntable carrying the chair, an arm structure and means for selectively moving the frame structure, chair or turntable with respect to said arm structure.

15. In, a device of the character described, the cmnbination ot' a conveyor chain, a supporting structure for the conveyor chain, a turntable on which the supporting structure is n'munted, an arm united with said turntable, another arm from. which said first named arm is movably supported, and means on said first named arm for impiiirting a rotary movement to the turntable.

16. In a device of the character described, the con'ibination oi? a conveyor chain, a supporting structure for the same, a motor for actuating the conveyor chain, a platform for the motor, a turntable on which the plat- :i'orm is mounted, an arm carrying the turntable, means in said arm for displacing the turntable relatively to said arm, and another arm to which said first named arm is movably connected.

17. In a device oil the character described, the combination of a conveyor chain, a motor for actuating the same, a supporting structure tor the conveyor chain, a turntable on which the motor and supporting structure is mounted, an arm supporting the turntable, another arm in pivotal relation to said first named arm, and means for locking the two arms in any desired angular position.

18. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a turntable, a conveyor chain, a supporting structure carried by the turntable and supporting the conveyor chain, an arm on which the turntable is rotatably mounted, a pivotal support for said arm, another arm, a pivotal support for said other arm, the two arms being united on said first named pivotal support, and means for maintaining the two arms locked in any angular position.

19. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor chain, a supporting structure for the same, an arml carrying said supporting structure, another arm, pivotal posts from which said arms are supported, discs mounted on said posts, clutch bands surrounding said discs, and means for tightening or releasing said clutch bands with respect to their discs, whereby said arms may be locked or released respectively with respect to their supporting posts.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor chain, a supporting structure for the same, an arm carry ing said supporting structure, another arm in pivotal connection with said first named arm, a post on which said second arm is pivotally supported, and a toggle joint structure for fixedly connecting said arms to their pivotal supports.

21. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor structure, an arm rotatably supporting the same, a pivot post on which said arm is loosely mounted, another arm carrying said pivot post, another pivot post for said second arm, clutch rings associated with said posts, clutch bands, surrounding said rings and normally loosely thereon, and means for tightening said clutch bands'to prevent relative movement of said posts and of the arms carried thereby.

22. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor structure, an arm rotatably supporting said conveyor structure, a pivotal support for said arm, another arm in pivotal connection with said first named arm, a pivotal post for said other arm, and means for simultaneously locking or simultaneously releasing both of said arms with respect to their pivotal supports.

23. In a device of the character described, the combination of a conveyor structure, an arm carrying the same, a pivotal support for said arm, another arm, a pivotal support for said other arm, rings secured on said pivotal supports, clutch bands surrounding said rings, and means on said second arm for tightening and releasing simultaneously said clutch bands, with respect to said rings.

2a. In a device of the character described, an endless conveyor, a drive chain for the same, and means independent of each other for adjusting the tension in the upper and lower strand of the drive chain.

25. In a device of the character described,

the combination of an endless conveyor, a

drive chain for the same, a sprocket about the lower portion of which a drive chain is looped, adjustable meansfor decreasing and increasing the length of the chain in an engagement with the driving sprocket, said adjusting means acting. on that strand of the chain which is looped on said sprocket. another sprocket for the drive chain, and means for adjusting the other sprocket to influence the other strand of the chain.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature at 85 Oneida St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

GEORGE MANIERRE. 

